07.27.15

Obamacare Premium ‘Shock Waves’

Massive Premium Increases Expose Obamacare’s ‘Shaky Foundations,’ Leave Consumers ‘Frustrated’

 

Obamacare ‘Shock Waves’ Have Customers Wondering If Health Care Is ‘Affordable Or… Worth The Money’

“The public is frustrated with insurance premium increases that they view as directly related to Obamacare. A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that 2016 premiums are up by a greater percentage than in 2015.” (“Even After Court Victory, Still No Easy Road For Obamacare,” Politico, 6/26/15)

“Health insurance companies around the country are seeking rate increases of 20 percent to 40 percent or more, saying their new customers under the Affordable Care Act turned out to be sicker than expected.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

“The rate requests, from some of the more popular health plans, suggest that insurance markets are still adjusting to shock waves set off by the Affordable Care Act.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

“Recent rate filings from large insurers have revealed that the law is built on a shaky foundation. In recent weeks, large insurers selling coverage through Obamacare have proposed massive rate increases for 2016 – even exceeding 40 percent – because they haven't been able to sign up enough young and healthy customers.” (“Rate Hikes Expose Shaky Foundation Of Obamacare,” Washington Examiner, 5/21/15)

NEW MEXICO: “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico has requested rate increases averaging 51 percent for its 33,000 members. The proposal elicited tart online comments from consumers.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

UTAH: “Arches Health Plan, which covers about one-fourth of the people who bought insurance through the federal exchange in Utah… as requested rate increases averaging 45 percent for 2016.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

SOUTH DAKOTA: “…a Wellmark plan in South Dakota wanting to raise rates by 42.9 percent” (“Even After Court Victory, Still No Easy Road For Obamacare,” Politico, 6/26/15)

PENNSYLVANIA: “Geisinger, often praised as a national model of coordinated care, has requested an increase of 40 percent in rates for its health maintenance organization.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

KANSAS: “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas sought increases averaging 37 percent for 2016 and said the increase could affect 28,600 consumers.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

TENNESSEE: “BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the largest insurer in the state’s individual market, said its proposed increase of 36 percent could affect more than 209,000 consumers.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

OREGON: “The Oregon insurance commissioner, Laura N. Cali, has just approved 2016 rate increases for companies that cover more than 220,000 people. Moda Health Plan, which has the largest enrollment in the state, received a 25 percent increase, and the second-largest plan, LifeWise, received a 33 percent increase.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

MARYLAND: “…CareFirst seeking a nearly 30 percent increase in Maryland” (“Even After Court Victory, Still No Easy Road For Obamacare,” Politico, 6/26/15)

IOWA: “Coventry wants to raise premiums by an average of roughly 17 percent on about 47,000 Iowans. Wellmark wants to raise premiums by an average of 26 percent to 29 percent on about 30,000 Iowans. (“Health Insurance Rate Complaints To Be Heard Saturday,” Des Moines Register, 7/23/15)

MISSOURI: “Coventry Health Care, now owned by Aetna, is seeking rate increases that average 22 percent for 70,000 consumers in Missouri.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

“Jesse Ellis O’Brien, a health advocate at the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, said: ‘Rate increases will be bigger in 2016 than they have been for years and years and will have a profound effect on consumers here. Some may start wondering if insurance is affordable or if it’s worth the money.’” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

“A study of 11 cities in different states by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that consumers would see relatively modest increases in premiums if they were willing to switch plans. But if they switch plans, consumers would have no guarantee that they can keep their doctors. And to get low premiums, they sometimes need to accept a more limited choice of doctors and hospitals.” (“Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases For 2016,” New York Times, 7/3/15)

 

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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Related Issues: Obamacare, Health Care